ICPC Tracking Exercise Targets 19 Constituency, Executive Projects Worth Over N1bn in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced a fresh monitoring exercise targeting 19 constituency and executive projects valued at more than N1 billion across the three senatorial zones of Anambra State.

The exercise, under Phase 8b of the Commission’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise (CEPTG), commenced on Tuesday, August 18, and is expected to last seven days.

Team Lead of the CEPTG in Anambra, Nzebunachi Chukwuma, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Thursday, saying the projects were selected to promote transparency, accountability and value for money in government-funded projects.

According to him, the initiative, which began in 2019, is designed to strengthen good governance by ensuring that constituency and executive projects are properly implemented for the benefit of citizens.

“This is an initiative of the Commission to monitor the execution of constituency projects by lawmakers and government agencies across the states,” Chukwuma said.

He explained that the exercise was also aimed at eliminating opacity in the award and execution of projects, while ensuring that public funds are properly utilised.

“The programme is also developed to remove opaqueness in the projects awarded on behalf of lawmakers and ensure transparency in their execution.

“It is also to ensure that value for the money expended is realised, reduce secrecy, diversion of funds and other forms of corruption in the execution to the barest minimum, as well as ensure that end users get the benefits of the services,” he said.

Chukwuma said the 19 projects being tracked in Anambra cut across the state’s three senatorial zones and federal constituencies, with projects ranging from water schemes and empowerment programmes to road and school construction.

He added that the exercise was being conducted simultaneously in 21 states across the country.

According to him, the projects are randomly selected by a steering committee to ensure fairness and prevent the Commission from being perceived as targeting particular individuals or constituencies.

“The projects are randomly selected by a steering committee so the Commission is not seen as being vindictive,” he said.

He said the committee comprises officials from the Federal Budget Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation and ICPC, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, which assesses the projects to determine whether the funds expended correspond with the work executed.

Highlighting the impact of previous tracking exercises in Anambra, Chukwuma said the initiative had recorded significant successes, including the recovery of value from unexecuted projects and funds that could be re-appropriated to more beneficial projects.

“Some of the lawmakers and contractors have been directed to return to site to complete their projects, while those found guilty have faced prosecution,” he revealed.

The ICPC said the latest exercise would continue to focus on ensuring that government projects are delivered as approved and that communities ultimately receive the intended benefits of public expenditure.